Further victims of predator - who targeted children in Chesterfield - urged to come forward

Michael Broomhead

A sexual predator who targeted teenage girls across the UK, including in Chesterfield, has been jailed for 15 years - and police are appealing for 'further victims' to come forward.

Andrew Pykett, from Warwickshire, abused 10 victims aged between 13 and 16 over a period of at least a decade.

The 38-year-old was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty to 38 child sex offences at an earlier hearing at Warwick Crown Court.

Pykett, of Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa, came to the attention of police in 2015 after a member of the public contacted the NSPCC over concerns about his behaviour with a young girl in South Yorkshire.

When officers examined Pykett's computers and phones, further victims were identified, with police finding sexualised conversations, indecent images and graphic sexual abuse of children from all parts of the UK, including in Chesterfield, South Yorkshire, Nottingham, and in America.

Commenting as Pykett began his prison sentence, Detective Sergeant Collette O'Keefe, from Warwickshire Police's multi-agency child sexual exploitation team, said: "Pykett is a sexual predator, grooming young girls all over the world, in the full knowledge that they were children, for his own gratification.

"I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of the victims in coming forward and speaking to police.

"As a result of their courage, an extremely dangerous man has been convicted.

"This investigation has taken us nationally and internationally and I would like to thank the professionals who have worked with us and assisted in supporting the victims in order to achieve this result.

"We know how difficult it can be for victims of sexual abuse to come forward or seek support.

"The police investigation will continue as further victims are identified and I would like to appeal to anyone who has any information to contact Warwickshire Police's major investigation unit on 01788 853981."